REVEALED: Man Utd's £27m Fabio Coentrao deal BACK ON

MANCHESTER UNITED have been given the green light to complete a stunning £27million deal for Fabio Coentrao after Real Madrid target David Alaba revealed that he is close to a return from injury for Bayern Munich.

As revealed by Express Sport, Carlo Ancelotti is desperate to land versatile Alaba as he looks to turn his side into possession-masters, but will have to part with either Coentrao or Marcelo in order to sign the Austrian.

But with the Brazil international in fine form at the Santiago Bernabeu, Coentrao is the man who will be shown the door in January, allowing Louis Van Gaal to finally make his move.

A deal for the Portuguese full-back looked doubtful when Alaba was ruled out with ligament damage at the start of the month, but the 22-year-old is confident that he will be back in action by January, allowing Real to complete a stunning swoop in the new year and thus sealing Coentrao's Old Trafford switch.

Alaba said: "I hope to be at the coach's disposal by January. The knee is fine and I feel good about myself.